Fairhope Council donates $25,000 to band, raises dept limit

After initially denying the request in January, the City Council voted Monday to donate $25,000 to help the Fairhope High School band go to Chicago for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

“I think one of the hardest things any of us here on the council has had to do is turn down the Pirate band,” Councilman Mike Ford said. “Now we have an opportunity to help after all.”

The money is from surplus funds in the H.L. “Sonny” Callahan Airport account. Charles Zunk, chairman of the Airport Authority, told the council Monday that at the end of the financial quarter completed Jan. 31, the authority found the airport’s expenses were $25,000 under budget. He requested that the council decrease the authority’s next appropriation by $25,000.

The council also voted Monday to increase its self-imposed general fund debt cap from $17 million to $18.5 million.

The council also placed a moratorium on annexation into the city effective May 1 to Jan. 1, 2008.

Council donates $25,000 to band